A man busted with over €830,000 worth of ketamine pulled a daring escape by leaping from his upstairs bedroom window when gardai showed up, a Dublin court has revealed.
Hidden Car Compartment Unearthed in Raid
During the raid at Conor Cooper’s home in Lucan, officers found his car rigged with a “professionally installed” secret compartment, opened only by remote control, Dublin District Court heard. The 28-year-old from Mount Andrew Grove faces charges of possessing ketamine for sale or supply, along with using a vehicle to store and move the drug. He’s also hit with lesser cannabis and cocaine possession charges.
Gardai Describe Chaos at the Raid
“Mr Cooper tried to get away by jumping from the upstairs bedroom window,” Garda Aisling Brophy told Judge John Brennan. “He was later caught in the back garden attempting to ditch a package.”
That discarded package contained ketamine worth €61,500. Officers also recovered €140 of cocaine, €40 of cannabis, and €5,900 in cash from the house. A car linked to Cooper held a stash of 13 more ketamine packages, with an estimated value of €770,000, hidden in its remote-control compartment.
Flight Risk and Bail Drama
Garda Brophy warned the court that Cooper is unemployed, believed to be in debt, and likely involved in drug storage and trafficking for unknown suppliers. She opposed bail, citing his risk of fleeing. Cooper made no reply when charged. Despite his defence stressing he has no serious convictions and family willing to stand bail, the judge set a €3,000 bond and demanded a €10,000 independent surety before release. Cooper, who has both British and Irish passports, was remanded in custody and will return to Cloverhill District Court on April 14.
